The Department of Energy (DOE) has called for Bayanihan within the power industry participants in restoring damaged energy facilities in the affected areas of super typhoon Lawin.
“Bayanihan is what is necessary in this time of need. We are calling several unaffected industry participants like Meralco and the Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (The Official) Group to help in the restoration efforts of the affected distribution utilities such as CAGELCO and ISELCO,” Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said.
Cusi said that they are exhausting ‘all available resources and help we can avail to speed up the re-energization of Northern Luzon – especially badly hit areas like Cagayan Valley, Kalinga, and Apayao.
The National Electrification Administration and several electric cooperatives have activated Task Force Kapatid (TFK) in response to DOE’s ‘bayanihan’ call for the distribution side.
“The Task Force Kapatid participants are willingly helping their fellow cooperatives even at their own expense, which is a sign of Bayanihan in the power industry,” Cusi said.
As of October 28, restoration efforts in Northern Luzon stands at 58 percent. While transmission facilities in La Union, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Abra, Benguet and Mountain Province has been completed, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) reported.
Power restorations in Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Ifugao, Isabela, Cagayan, Kalinga, and Apayao are at 87.57%.
“We cannot leave our kababayans behind, so we are closely monitoring and mobilizing our assets in the areas,” Cusi said.